As the iPhone 5S release date imminently nears, more attention as of late has been focused on the low-cost version of the iPhone. Unofficially dubbed the low-cost iPhone or budget iPhone, the more affordable version of Apple’s flagship handset has literally found its way into the hands of tech blog TechDy after numerous leaked photos and specs. Check out their hands-on video below.
After reaching out to TechDy as to inquire how they could’ve possibly gotten a hands-on with the low-cost iPhone, they have yet to respond. However, what they’ve determined is sure to pique the interest of tech junkies everywhere.
Watch TechDy’s Hands-On Video with the Low-cost iPhone:
The device in question appears to simply be the display and polycarbonate casing, with no software yet installed. Still these elements add credence to many of the rumors that have been swirling around in terms of size and shape. TechDy writes,
“It will have a 4” screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that’s similar to Apple’s original iPod. When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones, the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy.”
It also examines the bottom of the bezel, pointing out one small hole for a microphone, a headphone port, two screw holes a centered Lightning port, and four holes for the speaker off to the bottom right. Inside the rear shell are holes for a camera and LED flash. A set of leaked photos back in June indicated that Apple may be gearing up for a dual-LED flash camera as well.
A report yesterday suggested that the only real low-cost aspect of the budget device, price included, is the polycarbonate case, which will be made available in a bevy of bright, fluorescent colors. The same report slaps the budget device with a $349 price tag worth 16GB of internal storage, $449 for 32GB of storage, and $559 for 64GB. To put it in perspective, a 16GB iPhone 5 carried by either AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon goes for just $199 with a two year contract from Apple’s website.
As for software, very little is known except for the likelihood that the low-cost iPhone will operate on Apple’s next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 7. iOs 7 is expected to launch along side both the iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone sometime this fall.
Image via TechDy
